If you’re a Marvelite, you’ll appreciate how surprisingly both Nebula and Gamora decided to switch sides from Thanos’ Black Order to the Avengers or Guardians of the Galaxy.
Notably, Nebula, initially perceived as a purely pragmatic and calculated villain, evolved into an anti-hero protagonist over the last two Avengers movies of MCU Phase 3.
What drives such an emotionless cyborg to make such a dramatic turnaround? What are her true thoughts?
Let’s find out!
Contents
Who Is Actually The Master of Nebula?
Unlike her portrayal in the last two Avengers movies, Nebula has harbored hatred for Thanos since her MCU debut in Guardians of the Galaxy.
Nebula and Gamora share similar origins: both survived the destruction of their planets – Nebula’s being Luphom, only to be adopted by the Mad Titan himself.
Initially, Nebula was trained perfectly to serve Thanos’s plans but soon developed a deep-seated jealousy towards Gamora.
While there wasn’t a singular moment of betrayal, the cumulative pressure, cruelty, and manipulation from Thanos arguably became unbearable for her.
Consequently, she chose to ally with Ronan the Accuser against Thanos, and later, she opposed the Guardians of the Galaxy.
After Ronan’s defeat by the Guardians, Nebula was recaptured by Thanos but soon escaped. It was then she realized that to truly live, Thanos had to die.
Although initially introduced as an antagonist aligned against the Guardians, Nebula ultimately emerges as a loner, striving to survive and fulfill her singular goal: to kill Thanos
What Drives Nebula’s Journey to The Avengers?
Nebula’s stubborn demeanor subtly changes as her relationship with Gamora improves by the end of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2014).
In Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame (2019), it appears Nebula experiences something new: a sense of emotional bonding.
It might sound cheesy, but consider this: for someone who has lived solely for revenge, showing thoughtfulness is indeed rare.
In Avengers: Infinity War, when Nebula is tortured by Thanos to extract information about the Soul Stone, Gamora cannot bear it and ultimately leads him to the Stone.
Later, when Nebula discovers that Gamora sacrificed herself for the Stone, she arguably comes to understand the true meaning of sisterhood.
In Avengers: Endgame, a beginning sequence of Nebula playing paper football with Tony Stark illustrates her first experience of human connection and victory outside of combat.
Additionally, a poignant exchange with War Machine reveals a mutual understanding of their altered states, further emphasizing Nebula’s journey towards embracing her humanity and connecting with others who share similar fates.
Nebula’s emotional reawakening is vividly portrayed in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023), where she openly expresses her feelings—tearfully reacting to Rocket’s voice and joyfully celebrating with her new family.
These moments mark a significant emotional breakthrough for a character who was once nearly robotic in demeanor.
Last Word: Was Nebula Considered As A Protagonist ?
The answer varies. From my perspective, Nebula’s journey has been remarkable; she transitioned from a secondary antagonist in the MCU to arguably the best antihero.
A great antihero embodies complex moralities, is unpredictable, and possesses motivations that audiences can understand and relate to—qualities that Nebula has consistently displayed in recent films.
Her decisive action to kill the 2014 version of herself in Endgame, despite Gamora’s ongoing negotiation, clearly showcases these traits.
Her inclusion in the Guardians of the Galaxy and the Avengers marks a pivotal shift in her allegiance and purpose.
Crucially, Nebula’s evolving relationship with her sister Gamora—from fierce rivalry to eventual reconciliation—fuels her path to redemption.
What do guys think? Is Nebula’s role in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 significant enough to categorize her as a protagonist? Share your thoughts!